It seems like there are teams that always win. Teams like the Detroit Red Wings come to mind. And then it seems like there are teams that always lose. The New York Islanders definitely come to mind. Finally, it seems like there are teams that never win, although they should. The San Jose Sharks absolutely come to mind.
Prior to Saturday’s big trade, San Jose hadn’t done anything all summer that indicated Doug Wilson was actually serious about that “changes are coming” comment he made shortly after the Sharks 1st round playoff exit back in April.
48 hours after the summer’s most drawn out hockey story ended, Dany Heatley’s (fin-ally) a Shark and their top 6 forwards are as good as any in the Western Conference. In the process, the Sharks gave up Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek (and a 2nd round draft pick in 2010).
So… that was the big shake up, Doug Wilson?
Classy trade, Doug Wilson (photo via BleecherReport.com)
Kudos to Wilson for landing a big time goal scorer. But when he promised changes, there’s no way he meant adding Heatley. He meant swapping out some core Shark players that weren’t/haven’t been getting the job done.
Let’s be honest: Wilson fell ass-backwards into Dany Heatley. When a 50 goal scorer controls his trade fate with a no trade clause and well established desire to play hockey in California… well, let’s just say you lucked out. Congrats Doug Wilson, you put together an acceptable trade package for Bryan Murray and the Ottawa Senators and picked up Dany Heatley. With all due respect, that’s the equivalent of Jeremy Roenick accepting an interview request.
For the record, I like the trade for both teams and I still like Dany Heatley. He’ll help the Sharks a lot. But is he the only piece the Sharks need? Does it change Evgeni Nabokov’s 32-31 all time playoff record? Does it change the fact Dan Boyle was the only player who showed up for all 6 games versus Anaheim last Spring?
It’s clear the Sharks needed to do something this summer. But does that mean Cheechoo and Michalek were part of the problem? It’s certainly an admittence the Sharks feel they can win more with Heatley than with Cheechoo and Michalek. But does that make sense? Cheechoo was riding 3rd line ice time last season under coach Todd Mclellan and Michalek and Heatley are very different players. Heatley’s the obvious upgrade, over Michalek, but at nearly twice the cap hit. And I don’t believe Michalek was ever any part of the reason for San Jose’s playoff struggles.
Overall, the San Jose Sharks are a more dangerous team after acquiring Dany Heatley, but it doesn’t make me believe they’ll be go any farther in the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs. And I’m positive this wasn’t the shake up Doug Wilson talked about either.
So the question becomes, what was the shake up he originally imagined?
Stay classy, Doug Wilson.
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“That’s the equivalent of Jeremy Roenick accepting an interview request.”
I found this moderately amusing.
Thanks. I actually thought of you when I wrote that. I guess you could say I wrote it for you, Tambland.